Modular planar interconnect device for a solid oxide fuel cell and the solid oxide fuel cell containing the same

ABSTRACT

A modular planar interconnect device for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a planar interconnect body, a pair of upper shielding plates, and a pair of lower shielding plates. The upper shielding plates are configured to be respectively fitted between front and rear boundary wall surfaces of a first inlet region of the planar interconnect body and between front and rear boundary wall surfaces of a first outlet region of the planar interconnect body. The lower shielding plates are configured to be respectively fitted between right and left boundary wall surfaces of a second inlet region of the planar interconnect body and between right and left boundary wall surfaces of a second outlet region of the planar interconnect body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No.105132710, filed on Oct. 11, 2016.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a modular planar interconnect device, and moreparticularly to a modular planar interconnect device for a solid oxidefuel cell. The disclosure also relates to the solid oxide fuel cellcontaining the modular planar interconnect device.

BACKGROUND

A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical enemy from a fuel intoelectricity through a chemical reaction of positively charged hydrogenions with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. The fuel cell can produceelectricity continuously for as long as fuel and oxygen or air aresupplied continuously. Particularly, a planar solid oxide fuel cell ismore popular in various applications because it has advantages ofdurable stability and low production cost and because a plurality of theplanar solid oxide fuel cells may be stacked and electrically connectedin series to produce high voltage.

However, in a stack of the conventional planar solid oxide fuel cells,the power efficiency and stability thereof may be negatively affecteddue to the fact that deformation of a seal material used for stackingthe planar solid oxide fuel cells may affect flow of a fuel fluid and/orthat the seal material may come into contact with the fuel fluid toreact with the fuel fluid or to be eluted by the fuel fluid. Inaddition, it is desirable in the art to provide a solid oxide fuel cellhaving enhanced power density, fuel utilization, and power efficiency.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a solid oxide fuelcell which may overcome the disadvantages of the conventional planarsolid oxide fuel cell and which has enhanced power density, fuelutilization, and power efficiency.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided amodular planar interconnect device for being sandwiched between a pairof planar cell units, each of which includes an anode web, a cathodeweb, and a planar cell body sandwiched between the anode and cathodewebs. The modular planar interconnect device comprises a planarinterconnect body, a pair of upper shielding plates, and a pair of lowershielding plates.

The planar interconnect body includes an upper major surface and a lowermajor surface.

The upper major surface includes a right marginal region, a leftmarginal region, an upper main region, a first inlet region for anoxygen-containing fluid, a first outlet region for the oxygen-containingfluid, and a plurality of grooved channels. The left marginal region isdisposed opposite to the right marginal region in a longitudinaldirection. The upper main region is disposed between the right and leftmarginal regions for underlying the cathode web of an upper one of theplanar cell units. The first inlet region is disposed between the rightmarginal region and the upper main region, and is formed with a firstinlet depression area that is recessed from the upper major surfacedownwardly and inwardly so as to form front and rear boundary wallsurfaces spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction. Thefirst outlet region is disposed between the left marginal region and theupper main region, and is formed with a first outlet depression areathat is recessed from the upper major surface downwardly and inwardly soas to form front and rear boundary wall surfaces spaced apart from eachother in the transverse direction. The grooved channels are formed inthe upper main region of the upper major surface, and extend through thefirst inlet region to terminate at a plurality of first inlet ports andfurther through the first outlet region to terminate at a plurality offirst outlet ports.

The lower major surface includes a front marginal region, a rearmarginal region, a lower main region, a second inlet region for a fuelfluid, a second outlet region for the fuel fluid, and a plurality ofgrooved channels. The rear marginal region is disposed opposite to thefront marginal region in the transverse direction. The lower main regionis disposed between the front and rear marginal regions for overlyingthe anode web of a lower one of the planar cell units. The second inletregion is disposed between the front marginal region and the lower mainregion, and is formed with a second inlet depression area that isrecessed from the lower major surface upwardly and inwardly so as toform right and left boundary wall surfaces spaced apart from each otherin the longitudinal direction. The second outlet region is disposedbetween the rear marginal region and the lower main region, and isformed with a second outlet depression area that is recessed from thelower major surface upwardly and inwardly so as to form right and leftboundary wall surfaces spaced apart from each other in the longitudinaldirection. The grooved channels are formed in the lower main region ofthe lower major surface, and extend through the second inlet region toterminate at a plurality of second inlet ports and further through thesecond outlet region to terminate at a plurality of second outlet ports.

The upper shielding plates are configured to be respectively fittedbetween the front and rear boundary wall surfaces of the first inletregion and between the front and rear boundary wall surfaces of saidfirst outlet region.

The lower shielding plates is configured to be respectively fittedbetween the right and left boundary wall surfaces of the second inletregion and between the right and left boundary wall surfaces of thesecond outlet region.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided asolid oxide fuel cell which comprises upper and lower modular planarinterconnect devices, and a planar cell. Unit.

Each of the upper and lower modular planar interconnect devices is themodular planar interconnect device described above.

The planar cell unit is sandwiched between the upper and lower modularplanar interconnect devices, and includes a planar cell member, an anodemember, a cathode member, an upper first auxiliary seal member, and alower upper first auxiliary seal member.

The planar cell member includes a planar cell body and a cell-bodysupport frame. The planar cell body is interposed between the lower mainregion of the lower major surface of the upper modular planarinterconnect device and the upper main region of the upper major surfaceof the lower modular planar interconnect device. The cell-body supportframe is disposed to surround and support a periphery of the planar cellbody, and has upper front and rear support regions and lower right andleft support regions. The upper front and rear support regions areopposite to each other in the transverse direction, and respectivelymate with the second inlet and outlet regions of the lower major surfaceof the upper modular planar interconnect device. The lower right andleft support regions are opposite to each other in the longitudinaldirection, and respectively mate with the first inlet and outlet regionsof the upper major surface of the lower modular planar interconnectdevice.

The anode member includes an anode web and an anode frame. The anode webis sandwiched between the planar cell body and the lower major region ofthe lower major surface of the upper modular planar interconnect device.The anode frame is disposed to surround and support a periphery of theanode web and has front and rear anode frame regions which are oppositeto each other in the transverse direction, and which respectively matewith the second inlet and outlet regions of the lower major surface ofthe upper modular planar interconnect device.

The cathode member includes a cathode web and a cathode frame. Thecathode web is sandwiched between the planar cell body and the uppermajor region of the upper major surface of the lower modular planarinterconnect device. The cathode frame is disposed to surround andsupport a periphery of the cathode web and has right and left cathodeframe regions which are opposite to each other in the longitudinaldirection, and which respectively mate with the first inlet and outletregions of the upper major surface of the lower modular planarinterconnect device.

The upper first auxiliary seal member is disposed between one of thefront and rear anode frame regions of the anode frame and acorresponding one of the second inlet and outlet regions of the lowermajor surface of the upper modular planar interconnect device to form afluid-tight seal therebetween.

The lower first auxiliary seal member is disposed between one of theright and left cathode frame regions of the cathode frame and acorresponding one of the first inlet and outlet regions of the uppermajor surface of the lower modular planar interconnect device to form afluid-tight seal therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent inthe following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with referenceto the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a modularplanar interconnect device according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment of the modularplanar interconnect device sandwiched between a pair of planar cellunits;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cellaccording to the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment of the solidoxide fuel cell;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the solidoxide fuel cell taken along line V-V in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the solidoxide fuel cell taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a is a schematic top view of the embodiment of the solid oxidefuel cell; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of the embodiment of the solid oxidefuel cell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be notedthat where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminalportions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally havesimilar characteristics.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, an embodiment of a modular planarinterconnect device 2 according to the disclosure is shown to besandwiched between a pair of planar cell units 3. Each of the planarcell units 3 includes an anode web 34, a cathode web 35, and a planarcell body 33 sandwiched between the anode and cathode webs 34, 35.

The modular planar interconnect device 2 is shown to include a planarinterconnect body 21, a pair of upper shielding plates 5, and a pair oflower shielding plates 4. The planar interconnect body 21 and the upperand lower shielding plates 5, 4 are made from a stainless steel materialsuch as SUS 430, SUS 431, SUS 441, Crofer® 22, and the like. In theembodiment, the planar interconnect body 21, the upper shielding plates5, and the lower shielding plates 4 are formed separately.Alternatively, they may be formed as a single-piece configuration.

The planar interconnect body 21 includes an upper major surface 25 and alower major surface 24.

The upper major surface 25 includes a right marginal region 251, a leftmarginal region 252, an upper main region 253, a first inlet region 254for an oxygen-containing fluid, a first outlet region 255 for theoxygen-containing fluid, and a plurality of grooved channels 256. Theleft marginal region 252 is disposed opposite to the right marginalregion 251 in a longitudinal direction (A). The upper main region 253 isdisposed between the right and left marginal regions 251, 252 and isconfigured for underlying the cathode web 35 of an upper one of theplanar cell units 3. The first inlet region 254 is disposed between theright marginal region 251 and the upper main region 253, and is formedwith a first inlet depression area 2541 that is recessed from the uppermajor surface 25 downwardly and inwardly so as to form front and rearboundary wall surfaces 2542, 2543 spaced apart from each other in atransverse direction (B). The first outlet region 255 is disposedbetween the left marginal region 252 and the upper main region 253, andis formed with a first outlet depression area 2551 that is recessed fromthe upper major surface 25 downwardly and inwardly so as to form frontand rear boundary wall surfaces 2552, 2553 spaced apart from each otherin the transverse direction (B). The grooved channels 256 are formed inthe upper main region 253 of the upper major surface 25, and extendthrough the first inlet region 254 to terminate at a plurality of firstinlet ports 2561 and further through the first outlet region 255 toterminate at a plurality of first outlet ports 2562. The upper mainregion 253 of the upper major surface 25 is further formed with aplurality of auxiliary channels 257 transverse to the grooved channels256 in the upper main region 253 of the upper major surface 25 so as toform an array of upper bumps 258. In addition, the right marginal region251 has a first introducing slot 2511 extending from the upper majorsurface 25 to the lower major surface 24 so as to fluidly communicatewith the first inlet ports 2561. The left marginal region 252 has afirst exit slot 2522 extending from the upper major surface 25 to thelower major surface 24 so as to fluidly communicate with the firstoutlet ports 2562.

The lower major surface 24 includes a front marginal region 241, a rearmarginal region 242, a lower main region 243, a second inlet region 244for a fuel fluid, a second outlet region 245 for the fuel fluid, and aplurality of grooved channels 246. The rear marginal region 242 isdisposed opposite to the front marginal region 241 in the transversedirection (B). The lower main region 243 is disposed between the frontand rear marginal regions 241, 242 for overlying the anode web 34 of alower one of the planar cell units 3. The second inlet region 244 isdisposed between the front marginal region 241 and the lower main region243, and is formed with a second inlet depression area 2441 that isrecessed from the lower major surface 24 upwardly and inwardly so as toform right and left boundary wall surfaces 2442, 2443 that are spacedapart from each other in the longitudinal direction (A). The secondoutlet region 245 is disposed between the rear marginal region 242 andthe lower main region 243, and is formed with a second outlet depressionarea 2451 that is recessed from the lower major surface 24 upwardly andinwardly so as to form right and left boundary wall surfaces 2452, 2453that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (A).The grooved channels 246 are formed in the lower main region 243 of thelower major surface 24, and extend through the second inlet region 244to terminate at a plurality of second inlet ports 2461 and furtherthrough the second outlet region 245 to terminate at a plurality ofsecond outlet ports 2462. In a certain embodiment, a cross-section ofthe grooved channels 246 at a juncture between the lower main region 243and the second inlet region 244 of the lower major surface 24 is largerthan a cross-section thereof at a juncture between the lower main region243 and the second outlet region 245 of the lower major surface 24. Thelower main region 243 of the lower major surface 24 is further formedwith a plurality of auxiliary channels 247 transverse to the groovedchannels 246 in the lower main region 243 of the lower major surface 24so as to form an array of lower bumps 248. In addition, the frontmarginal region 241 has a second introducing slot 2411 extending fromthe lower major surface 24 to the upper major surface 25 so as tofluidly communicate with the second inlet ports 2461. The rear marginalregion 242 has a second exit slot 2421 extending from the lower majorsurface 24 to the upper major surface 25 so as to fluidly communicatewith the second outlet ports 2462.

The upper shielding plates 5 are configured to be detachably andrespectively fitted between the front and rear boundary wall surfaces2542, 2543 of the first inlet region 254 and between the front and rearboundary wall surfaces 2552, 2553 of the first outlet region 255. Theupper shielding plates 5 are flush with the right and left marginalregions 251, 252 of the upper major surface 25.

The lower shielding plates 4 are configured to be detachably andrespectively fitted between the right and left boundary wall surfaces2442, 2443 of the second inlet region 244 and between the right and leftboundary wall surfaces 2452, 2453 of the second outlet region 245. Thelower shielding plates 4 are flush with the front and rear marginalregions 241, 242 of the lower major surface 24.

With reference to FIGS. 3-6, an embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell 1according to the disclosure includes upper and lower modular planarinterconnect devices 2, and a planar cell unit 3 sandwiched between theupper and lower modular planar interconnect devices 2.

Each of the upper and lower modular planar interconnect devices 2 is themodular planar interconnect devices 2 described above.

The planar cell unit 3 includes a planar cell member 31, an anode member38, a cathode member 39, an upper first auxiliary seal member, and alower first auxiliary seal member. The planar cell member 31 includes aplanar cell body 33 and a cell-body support frame 32. The anode member38 includes an anode web 34 and an anode frame 36. The cathode member 39includes a cathode web 35 and a cathode frame 37.

The planar cell body 33 is interposed between the lower main region 243of the lower major surface 24 of the upper modular planar interconnectdevice 2 and the upper main region 253 of the upper major surface 25 ofthe lower modular planar interconnect device 2. The cell-body supportframe 32 is disposed to surround and support a periphery of the planarcell body 33, and has upper front and rear support regions 321, 322 andlower right and left support regions 323, 324. The upper front and rearsupport regions 321, 322 are opposite to each other in the transversedirection (B), and respectively mate with the second inlet and outletregions 244, 245 of the lower major surface 24 of the upper modularplanar interconnect device 2. The lower right and left support regions323, 324 are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction (A),and respectively mate with the first inlet and outlet regions 254, 255of the upper major surface 25 of the lower modular planar interconnectdevice 2.

The anode web 34 is sandwiched between the planar cell body 33 and themajor region 243 of the lower major surface 24 of the upper modularplanar interconnect device 2. The anode frame 36 is disposed to surroundand support a periphery of the anode web 34, and has front and rearanode frame regions 361, 362 which are opposite to each other in thetransverse direction (B), and which respectively mate with the secondinlet and outlet regions 244, 245 of the lower major surface 24 of theupper modular planar interconnect device 2.

The cathode web 35 is sandwiched between the planar cell body 33 and themajor region 253 of the upper major surface 25 of the lower modularplanar interconnect device 2. The cathode frame 37 is disposed tosurround and support a periphery of the cathode web 35, and has rightand left cathode frame regions 371, 372 which are opposite to each otherin the longitudinal direction (A), and which respectively mate with thefirst inlet and outlet regions 254, 255 of the upper major surface 25 ofthe lower modular planar interconnect device 2.

The upper first auxiliary seal member is disposed between one of thefront and rear anode frame regions 361, 362 of the anode frame 36 and acorresponding one of the second inlet and outlet regions 244, 245 of thelower major surface 24 of the upper modular planar interconnect device 2to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The solid oxide fuel cell 1further includes an upper second auxiliary seal member which is disposedbetween the other of the front and rear anode frame regions 361, 362 ofthe anode frame 36 and a corresponding one of the second inlet andoutlet regions 244, 245 of the lower major surface 24 of the uppermodular planar interconnect device 2 to form a fluid-tight sealtherebetween. In addition, the solid oxide fuel cell 1 includes an upperfirst primary seal member and an upper second primary seal member. Theupper first primary seal member is disposed between one of the right andleft anode frame regions 363, 364 of the anode frame 36 and acorresponding one of right and left portions of the lower main region243 of the lower major surface 24 of the upper modular planarinterconnect device 2 to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The uppersecond primary seal member is disposed between the other of the rightand left anode frame regions 363, 364 of the anode frame 36 and acorresponding one of the right and left portions of the lower mainregion 243 of the lower major surface 24 of the upper modular planarinterconnect device 2 to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The upperfirst and second auxiliary seal members and the upper first and secondprimary seal members are independently made from a material selectedfrom the group consisting of glass-ceramic, mica, soldering alloy, andcombinations thereof. In the embodiment, the upper first and secondauxiliary seal members and the upper first and second primary sealmembers are integrally formed with the anode frame 36. In other words,the anode frame 36 in the embodiment is made from glass-ceramic, mica,soldering alloy, or combinations thereof, and an upper surface thereofis used as a combination of the upper first and second auxiliary sealmembers and the upper first and second primary seal members.

The lower first auxiliary seal member is disposed between one of theright and left cathode frame regions 371, 372 of the cathode frame 37and a corresponding one of the first inlet and outlet regions 254, 255of the upper major surface 25 of the lower modular planar interconnectdevice 2 to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The solid oxide fuelcell 1 further includes a lower second auxiliary seal member which isdisposed between the other of the right and left cathode frame regions371, 372 of the cathode frame 37 and a corresponding one of the firstinlet and outlet regions 254, 255 of the upper major surface 25 of thelower modular planar interconnect device 2 to form a fluid-tight sealtherebetween. In addition, the solid oxide fuel cell 1 includes a lowerfirst primary seal member and a lower second primary seal member. Thelower first primary seal member is disposed between one of the front andrear cathode frame regions 373, 374 of the cathode frame 37 and acorresponding one of front and rear portions of the upper main region253 of the upper major surface 25 of the lower modular planarinterconnect device 2 to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The lowersecond primary seal member is disposed between the other of the frontand rear cathode frame regions 373, 374 of the cathode frame 37 and acorresponding one of the front and rear portions of the upper mainregion 253 of the upper major surface 25 of the lower modular planarinterconnect device 2 to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The lowerfirst and second auxiliary seal members and the lower first and secondprimary seal members are independently made from a material selectedfrom the group consisting of glass-ceramic, mica, soldering alloy, andcombinations thereof. In the embodiment, the lower first and secondauxiliary seal members and the lower first and second primary sealmembers are integrally formed with the cathode frame 37. In other words,the cathode frame 37 in the embodiment is made from glass-ceramic, mica,soldering alloy, or combinations thereof, and a lower surface thereof isused as a combination of the lower first and second auxiliary sealmembers and the lower first and second primary seal members.

As described above, in the modular planar interconnect device 2 of thedisclosure, the upper shielding plates 5 are configured to berespectively fitted between the front and rear boundary wall surfaces2542, 2543 of the first inlet region 254 and between the front and rearboundary wall surfaces 2552, 2553 of the first outlet region 255.Therefore, the portions of the grooved channels 256 in the first inletregion 254 and the first outlet region 255 are isolated from the rightand left cathode frame regions 371, 372 of the cathode frame 37 by theupper shielding plates 5. Accordingly, the front and rear cathode frameregions 373, 374 of the cathode frame 37 may be sealed to the front andrear portions of the upper main region 253 of the upper major surface 25of the modular planar interconnect device 2, and the right and leftcathode frame regions 371, 372 of the cathode frame 37 may also besealed to the upper shielding plates 5 such that a sealing effectbetween the cathode frame 37 and the upper major surface 25 of themodular planar interconnect device 2 may be enhanced, and the aforesaiddisadvantage of the prior art may be avoided.

Similarly, as described above, the lower shielding plates 4 areconfigured to be respectively fitted between the right and left boundarywall surfaces 2442, 2443 of the second inlet region 244 and between theright and left boundary wall surfaces 2452, 2453 of the second outletregion 245. Therefore, the portions of the grooved channels 246 in thesecond inlet region 244 and the second outlet region 245 are isolatedfrom the front and rear anode frame regions 361, 362 of the anode frame36 by the lower shielding plates 4. Accordingly, the right and leftanode frame regions 363, 364 of the anode frame 36 may be sealed to theright and left portions of the lower main region 243 of the lower majorsurface 24 of the modular planar interconnect device 2, and the frontand rear anode frame regions 361, 362 of the anode frame 36 may also besealed to the lower shielding plates 4 such that a sealing effectbetween the anode frame 36 and the lower major surface 24 of the modularplanar interconnect device 2 may be enhanced.

Examples of the disclosure will be described hereinafter. It is to beunderstood that these examples are exemplary and explanatory and shouldnot be construed as a limitation to the disclosure.

Example 1

The aforesaid embodiment of the modular planar interconnect device 2 wasused in a solid oxide fuel cell. In the modular planar interconnectdevice 2, a cross-section of the grooved channels 246 at a juncturebetween the lower main region 243 of the lower major surface 24 and thesecond inlet region 244 is about 22.1 mm², and a cross-section of thegrooved channels 246 at a juncture between the lower main region 243 ofthe lower major surface 24 and the second outlet region 245 is about13.26 mm². A mixed gas of hydrogen and nitrogen (containing 3% steam)was introduced into the grooved channels 246 via the second inlet ports2461 and was allowed to exit the grooved channels 246 via the secondoutlet ports 2462. Dry air was introduced into the grooved channels 256via the first inlet ports 2561 and was allowed to exit the groovedchannels 256 via the first outlet ports 2562. The solid oxide fuel cellwas operated for a period of 100 hours. Maximum power density (650° C.),fuel utilization, and power efficiency (620° C.) of the solid oxide fuelcell were measured using an electronic load (tensile load current: 34.2A, operating voltage: 0.6-0.7 V). The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 2

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that both of thecross-section of the grooved channels 246 at a juncture between thelower main region 243 of the lower major surface 24 and the second inletregion 244 and the cross-section of the grooved channels 246 at ajuncture between the lower main region 243 of the lower major surface 24and the second outlet region 245 are about 22.1 mm². The results of themaximum power density (650° C.), the fuel utilization, and the powerefficiency (620° C.) are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Maximum power Fuel Power density utilization efficiency Ex. 10.643 W/cm² 71.69% 38.37% Ex. 2 0.602 W/cm² 67.71% 36.18%

As shown in Table 1, the maximum power density, the fuel utilization,and the power efficiency of the solid oxide fuel cell may be furtherenhanced when a cross-section of the grooved channels 246 at a juncturebetween the lower main region 243 and the second inlet region 244 of thelower major surface 24 is larger than a cross-section thereof at ajuncture between the lower main region 243 and the second outlet region245 of the lower major surface 24.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details have been set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practicedwithout some of these specific details. It should also be appreciatedthat reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number andso forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristicmay be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be furtherappreciated that in the description, various features are sometimesgrouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereoffor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in theunderstanding of various inventive aspects.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is (are)considered the exemplary embodiment(s), it is understood that thisdisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but is intendedto cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope ofthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular planar interconnect device for beingsandwiched between a pair of planar cell units, each of which includesan anode web, a cathode web, and a planar cell body sandwiched betweenthe anode and cathode webs, the modular planar interconnect devicecomprising: a planar interconnect body including an upper major surfaceincluding a right marginal region, a left marginal region disposedopposite to said right marginal region in a longitudinal direction, anupper main region disposed between said right and left marginal regionsfor underlying the cathode web of an upper one of the planar cell units,a first inlet region for an oxygen-containing fluid, said first inletregion being disposed between said right marginal region and said uppermain region and being formed with a first inlet depression area that isrecessed from said upper major surface downwardly and inwardly so as toform front and rear boundary wall surfaces that are spaced apart fromeach other in a transverse direction, a first outlet region for theoxygen-containing fluid, said first outlet region being disposed betweensaid left marginal region and said upper main region and being formedwith a first outlet depression area that is recessed from said uppermajor surface downwardly and inwardly so as to form front and rearboundary wall surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in thetransverse direction, and a plurality of grooved channels which areformed in said upper main region of said upper major surface, and whichextend through said first inlet region to terminate at a plurality offirst inlet ports and further through said first outlet region toterminate at a plurality of first outlet ports, and a lower majorsurface including a front marginal region, a rear marginal regiondisposed opposite to said front marginal region in the transversedirection, a lower main region disposed between said front and rearmarginal regions for overlying the anode web of a lower one of theplanar cell units, a second inlet region for a fuel fluid, said secondinlet region being disposed between said front marginal region and saidlower main region and being formed with a second inlet depression areathat is recessed from said lower major surface upwardly and inwardly soas to form right and left boundary wall surfaces that are spaced apartfrom each other in the longitudinal direction, a second outlet regionfor the fuel fluid, said second outlet region being disposed betweensaid rear marginal region and said lower main region and being formedwith a second outlet depression area that is recessed from said lowermajor surface upwardly and inwardly so as to form right and leftboundary wall surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in thelongitudinal direction, and a plurality of grooved channels which areformed in said lower main region of said lower major surface, and whichextend through said second inlet region to terminate at a plurality ofsecond inlet ports and further through said second outlet region toterminate at a plurality of second outlet ports; a pair of uppershielding plates configured to be respectively fitted between said frontand rear boundary wall surfaces of said first inlet region and betweensaid front and rear boundary wall surfaces of said first outlet region;and a pair of lower shielding plates configured to be respectivelyfitted between said right and left boundary wall surfaces of said secondinlet region and between said right and left boundary wall surfaces ofsaid second outlet region.
 2. The modular planar interconnect deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said right marginal region has a firstintroducing slot extending from said upper major surface to said lowermajor surface so as to fluidly communicate with said first inlet ports.3. The modular planar interconnect device according to claim 1, whereinsaid left marginal region has a first exit slot extending from saidupper major surface to said lower major surface so as to fluidlycommunicate with said first outlet ports.
 4. The modular planarinterconnect device according to claim 1, wherein said front marginalregion has a second introducing slot extending from said lower majorsurface to said upper major surface so as to fluidly communicate withsaid second inlet ports.
 5. The modular planar interconnect deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said rear marginal region has a secondexit slot extending from said lower major surface to said upper majorsurface so as to fluidly communicate with said second outlet ports. 6.The modular planar interconnect device according to claim 1, whereinsaid upper shielding plates are flush with said right and left marginalregions.
 7. The modular planar interconnect device according to claim 1,wherein said lower shielding plates are flush with said front and rearmarginal regions.
 8. The modular planar interconnect device according toclaim 1, wherein said upper main region of said upper major surface isfurther formed with a plurality of auxiliary channels transverse to saidgrooved channels in said upper main region of said upper major surfaceso as to form an array of upper bumps.
 9. The modular planarinterconnect device according to claim 1, wherein said lower main regionof said lower major surface is further formed with a plurality ofauxiliary channels transverse to said grooved channels in said lowermain region of said lower major surface so as to form an array of lowerbumps.
 10. The modular planar interconnect device according to claim 1,wherein a cross-section of said grooved channels at a juncture betweensaid lower main region and said second inlet region of said lower majorsurface is larger than a cross-section thereof at a juncture betweensaid lower main region and said second outlet region of said lower majorsurface.
 11. The modular planar interconnect device according to claim1, wherein said planar interconnect body and said upper and lowershielding plates are made from a stainless steel material.
 12. A solidoxide fuel cell, comprising: upper and lower modular planar interconnectdevices, each according to claim 1; a planar cell unit sandwichedbetween said upper and lower modular planar interconnect devices andincluding a planar cell member including a planar cell body interposedbetween said lower main region of said lower major surface of said uppermodular planar interconnect device and said upper main region of saidupper major surface of said lower modular planar interconnect device,and a cell-body support frame disposed to surround and support aperiphery of said planar cell body and having upper front and rearsupport regions which are opposite to each other in the transversedirection, and which respectively mate with said second inlet and outletregions of said lower major surface of said upper modular planarinterconnect device, and lower right and left support regions which areopposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and whichrespectively mate with said first inlet and outlet regions of said uppermajor surface of said lower modular planar interconnect device, an anodemember including an anode web sandwiched between said planar cell bodyand said lower major region of said lower major surface of said uppermodular planar interconnect device, and an anode frame disposed tosurround and support a periphery of said anode web and having front andrear anode frame regions which are opposite to each other in thetransverse direction, and which respectively mate with said second inletand outlet regions of said lower major surface of said upper modularplanar interconnect device, a cathode member including a cathode websandwiched between said planar cell body and said upper major region ofsaid upper major surface of said lower modular planar interconnectdevice, and a cathode frame disposed to surround and support a peripheryof said cathode web and having right and left cathode frame regionswhich are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, andwhich respectively mate with said first inlet and outlet regions of saidupper major surface of said lower modular planar interconnect device; anupper first auxiliary seal member disposed between one of said front andrear anode frame regions of said anode frame and a corresponding one ofsaid second inlet and outlet regions of said lower major surface of saidupper modular planar interconnect device to form a fluid-tight sealtherebetween; and a lower first auxiliary seal member disposed betweenone of said right and left cathode frame regions of said cathode frameand a corresponding one of said first inlet and outlet regions of saidupper major surface of said lower modular planar interconnect device toform a fluid-tight seal therebetween.
 13. The solid oxide fuel cellaccording to claim 12, further comprising: an upper second auxiliaryseal member disposed between the other of said front and rear anodeframe regions of said anode frame and a corresponding one of said secondinlet and outlet regions of said lower major surface of said uppermodular planar interconnect device to form a fluid-tight sealtherebetween; and a lower second auxiliary seal member disposed betweenthe other of said right and left cathode frame regions of said cathodeframe and a corresponding one of said first inlet and outlet regions ofsaid upper major surface of said lower modular planar interconnectdevice to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.
 14. The solid oxide fuelcell according to claim 12, wherein said upper first auxiliary sealmember is integrally formed with said anode frame, and said lower firstauxiliary seal member is integrally formed with said cathode frame. 15.The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 13, wherein said uppersecond auxiliary seal member is integrally formed with said anode frame,and said lower second auxiliary seal member is integrally formed withsaid cathode frame.
 16. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 14,wherein said upper first auxiliary seal member is made from a materialselected from the group consisting of glass-ceramic, mica, solderingalloy, and combinations thereof, and said lower first auxiliary sealmember is made from a material selected from the group consisting ofglass-ceramic, mica, soldering alloy, and combinations thereof.
 17. Thesolid oxide fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein said upper secondauxiliary seal member is made from a material selected from the groupconsisting of glass-ceramic, mica, soldering alloy, and combinationsthereof, and said lower second auxiliary seal member is made from amaterial selected from the group consisting of glass-ceramic, mica,soldering alloy, and combinations thereof.